2017 Field of Mars Shiraz B1

Single Vineyard Range

2019 Eagles Rest Vineyard Chardonnay

Variety:   Chardonnay 100%

Vineyard: Eagles Rest Vineyard

Region:    Pokolbin, Hunter Valley

Vine Age:  Vines planted in 1970's by Don Maxwell

Tasting Note

Planted at 200m altitude on a Southern facing steep slope on deep red volcanic basalt soil, in the foothills of the Brokenback Mountain Range.

Colour: crystalline bright: a very youthful, fine chiffon yellow.

Aromas: primary fruits are yellow pineapple to bright nectarine with subtle hints of jasmine and fine oak, suggestions of pistachio and vanilla.

Palate: defines pineapple and stone-fruit with a crisp minerally finish. Fine textures due to whole-bunch inclusion at pressing, generate an elegant umami that matches the finesse of fruit and the delicacy of oak. Creamy yeast-lees chime in with savoury textural hints of yoghurt and cashew, and these elemental signatures will enrich the main flavours with plush roundness as the wine matures and softens.

 This vineyard has excellent pedigree and potential. This 2019 Chardonnay will last for many years and show at its best from 2025 and onwards. If drinking now please allow time in the glass, or decant, and enjoy.

Drink: Now to 2030

150 dozen made.

James Halliday 94 points

Technical Data

Alcohol: 12.5%

pH:        3.22

TA:         6.1

FIELD OF MARS - Single Vineyard Range                            

Field of Mars Semillon Block 2a 2017

Variety:   100% Semillon

Region:    Pokolbin, Hunter Valley

Vineyard: Keith Tulloch Field of Mars Vineyard

Vine age: Vines planted in 1968

Tasting Note 

This tiny 0.25 hectare Block 2a vineyard planted in 1968, is a real treasure - year-on-year these Semillon vines produce exceptional varietal expression. The deep alluvial sand is key to preserving the grape's elegance and intensity, also enabling the juice to hold a natural core freshness, low pH and bright acidity.

Vintage: Summer weather was stable, hot and dry, with good soil moisture in the deep sands of this old silty riverbed. The tiny old-vine block was hand harvested slightly later than usual on 24th January.

Aromas are tightly wound and intense: Meyer-lemon and golden-apple, hints of fine green-herb, citrus-curd with zesty freshness.

The palate flavours are concentrated with tightly-coiled juiciness: green and yellow citrus flavours with classic zest intensity and bright energy, line and length lifted by delicious juicy acidity. A slightly chalky, minerally lip-smacking mix giving perfect youthful balance with potential for long term cellaring.

Drink: Now - 2036+

Limited Release - only 162 dozen made.

James Halliday 96 points, Huon Hooke 96 points
 

162 dozen made
       

Technical Data
Alcohol:   10.4%
pH             3.01
TA             6.6

FIELD OF MARS - Single Vineyard Range                            

Field of Mars Chardonnay Block 6 2017

Variety:   100% Chardonnay

Region:     Pokolbin, Hunter Valley

Vineyard:  Keith Tulloch Field of Mars Vineyard

Vine Age:  Vines planted in 1968

Tasting Note                                              

Close planted in 1968, this dry farmed Chardonnay vineyard is a rarity, particularly planted with ‘Busby clone P58’, recognised amongst the strongest Chardonnay clones. Our vines are grown in the deep alluvial powdery sands, on a tiny 0.25 hectare plot, producing incredibly intense fruit characters.

Colour: straw green with pastel yellow flecks.

Aroma: bold expressions of fully-ripe stone fruits, citrus and pineapple. Barrel fermented with wild yeast adds a soft aromatic wash of warm nougat and fine vanilla.

Palate: the Chardonnay signatures are focused, holding your attention with an unwavering juicy core of nectarine, golden pineapple, citrus and melon, matched equally with deluxe barrel, cashew like creaminess and fig-savouriness throughout. These flavours are complex, also showing elaborate highlights of struck-flint, gun-smoke and nougat; these notes adding beautiful flair as they build in the glass. The unity and focus of these elements is secured with a bright line of acidity, with a tangy freshness and great aging potential.

Cellaring potential: Keep it if you can, beyond 10 years.

157 dozen made

James Halliday 95 points, Huon Hooke 96 points                                                                                                       

Technical Data

Alcohol:  13.0%

pH:         3.22

TA:          6.8

The Family Collection

2019 The Kester Shiraz

Variety:     Shiraz (99%)  Viognier (1%)
Region:     Hunter Valley, single heritage listed vineyard
Vine Age:  Planted on own roots in 1923

Tasting Notes

This Vintage can flex its muscles – it has power and polish, depth and grip with terrific focus.

Colour is vivid red / black with a deep scarlet hue.

Heady aromas of jaffa and orange blossom over deeper concentrated blackcurrant, cola, anise and blackberry. Lifted hints of juniper and crushed herb build as the wine breathes.

Black-fruits dominate the palate with lashings of inky dense, muscular black-currant and black-cherry, over a liquorice-like sweetness balancing rich black-chocolate dryness and a black-olivine savouriness. This foundation is firmly bonded and taut, lasting, with all parts contributing an iron-clad assertion. Exotic expression with luxuriant waves of fine oak delivering fume` spices and subtle roast-coffee-like extract.
The 2019 Vintage Kester shows the result of 3 year of continual drought: it is inky and firm, latent, intense, and deep with terrific promise and pedigree.

Drink: Now to 2040+

Technical Data

Alcohol: 14.3%
pH: 3.5